Chapter 64
After enduring the “Autumn Tiger,” the weather began to turn cold.
A sharp drop in temperature in late November brought a wave of viral flu, and everyone started falling ill one after another.
The first person in Class 1 to catch the flu was He Chenjiang. Perhaps because he was too exhausted from studying, He Chenjiang came down with a 39-degree fever and infected the two people sitting in front of him.
The third year offered no mercy for illness. The two infected students didn’t want to take leave, but because this flu was quite severe, Teacher Chen made them go home to avoid spreading it.
One morning, Chi Aibei suddenly sneezed. Jiang Yu and Lin Yang turned around instantly.
Lin Xiu handed a tissue to Chi Aibei. Aibei rubbed his nose and, seeing the three of them staring at him, quickly said, “I don’t have a cold. My nose just felt itchy.”
Chi Aibei was well-guarded by Lin Xiu. Every day, he was watched to ensure he wore thick clothes before leaving. Because of the cold, Lin Xiu stopped taking the bus with him and called a car every day. Chi Aibei had no chance of catching a chill.
Lin Yang scooted away. “If you catch a cold, you’d better not give it to me. I can’t afford to get sick.”
Chi Aibei leaned over and intentionally coughed several times toward him. “Cough, cough! I’m specifically going to infect you!”
Qin Wanpeng called out to Chi Aibei from the classroom door. Chi Aibei was busy messing with Lin Yang and didn’t hear, so Qin Wanpeng walked right in.
By the time Aibei noticed him, Qin Wanpeng was almost in front of him. Lin Yang glanced at him. “Who are you?”
Qin Wanpeng ignored Lin Yang and spoke to Chi Aibei. “Did you know Old He is sick?”
Chi Aibei wasn’t sure if he was talking to him. He looked at Lin Xiu, then at Jiang Yu. “I know.”
Qin Wanpeng frowned. “He’s been sick for so many days. Didn’t you think about visiting him?”
“He has the flu,” Chi Aibei said, sounding bewildered. “He’s already infected several people. I don’t want to get sick, so why would I go see him?”
Qin Wanpeng, who wanted to help He Chenjiang but hadn’t considered that point: “…”
Lin Yang also thought this guy was crazy, asking Chi Aibei to visit someone with the flu. “What class are you from? Coming into our class and saying such weird things. Don’t you know how important a senior’s health is? If he gets the flu and gives it to me, I’m doomed.”
Lin Yang was adamant about not getting sick. On the last monthly exam, Chi Aibei had directly overtaken him, ranking 8th in the grade. Although Lin Yang was still 9th, he no longer had the confidence to guarantee he could hold that position next time. If the original 8th-place student hadn’t slipped up, he might have dropped to 10th.
Generally, monthly exams didn’t feature a major ranking list, but this time the school specifically arranged a grade-wide ranking for Chi Aibei. They wanted to show off his scores and motivate other students, telling them that anything was possible.
Lin Xiu looked at Qin Wanpeng. “Are you finished?”
Qin Wanpeng looked at Lin Xiu.
“If you’re finished, please leave immediately,” Lin Xiu said.
Qin Wanpeng’s brow twitched. “What?”
Lin Xiu pointed toward the door. “You didn’t disinfect when you came in. I don’t know if your class allows you to enter without disinfecting, but anyone entering our class must do so. Standing here, you are a viral hazard. Our entire class could be in danger.”
To prevent the flu from spreading, Class 1 had been strictly disinfecting. Everyone entering the classroom was sprayed with disinfectant at the door.
Hearing Lin Xiu’s words, everyone around looked at Qin Wanpeng. Some quickly put on masks, while others took out portable disinfectant sprays and aimed them toward him.
Lin Yang covered his mouth and ducked behind Jiang Yu. “Oh my god, oh my god! Don’t you dare give it to me.”
Chi Aibei grabbed a book from his desk to cover his nose, then took another one to block Lin Xiu’s face. “Gege, cover up quick.”
Qin Wanpeng: “…”
After Qin Wanpeng left, Lin Yang was still uneasy. He pulled a large pack of Banlangen from his bag and distributed it to everyone around him. “Quick, take some as a precaution.”
Chi Aibei reached out. “Give me a pack too. I just spoke several sentences to him. If I get infected, I’m finished.”
Jiang Yu thought they were being dramatic. “I don’t think this illness is transmitted through speech.”
Chi Aibei snatched a few packs from Lin Yang. “I don’t care. I’m drinking it.”
Compared to Lin Yang, Chi Aibei was even more afraid of getting sick. It was already December. Once the winter break was over, he would be moving to Class 2. There were only a few days left when he could attend class with Lin Xiu. Furthermore, if he got sick, he wouldn’t just miss class; he wouldn’t be able to go to Lin Xiu’s house either. That would be truly tragic.
On New Year’s Day, Chi Aibei received a call from Chi Wendong, saying Mother Chi wanted him home.
Why would that woman suddenly ask Wendong to fetch him? Chi Aibei felt nothing good would come of it. Besides, Lin Xiu had already bought ingredients for a hot pot; he was supposed to eat hot pot here.
“Why does she want me back?” Aibei asked.
“To have a meal,” Chi Wendong replied.
The more Chi Aibei heard, the more suspicious he became. “Is she going to poison me?”
Chi Wendong: “…Not likely.”
It was New Year’s Day, and Mother Chi had invited Chen Su’s family over. During the summer break, Chi Aibei wasn’t around when Chen Su visited. To avoid giving people an excuse to gossip, Mother Chi sent Chi Wendong to bring him back.
Knowing He Chenjiang’s family was going, Chi Aibei wanted to go even less. But Chi Wendong was following orders. If he didn’t go back, there was no telling how that woman would scold him.
The sky was gloomy, with a north wind blowing and light snow falling. When Chi Wendong arrived, Chi Aibei was standing at the intersection with Lin Xiu.
Chi Aibei was wearing a white down jacket with a plaid scarf tied around his hood. The scarf was a bit loose, so Lin Xiu tucked it in for him. Chi Aibei said something that made Lin Xiu annoyed enough to pinch his cheek. Lin Xiu wasn’t wearing gloves, and his cold hand made Aibei dodge. As he could never win against Lin Xiu’s strength, he simply dove into Lin Xiu’s chest so he couldn’t be pinched anymore.
Chi Wendong honked. Chi Aibei turned and, seeing his brother’s car, ran over to open the door. “Ge, Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year,” Wendong replied, glancing at Lin Xiu, who had followed.
“Happy New Year,” Lin Xiu said.
“Happy New Year,” Chi Wendong nodded.
Lin Xiu and Chi Wendong were familiar with each other now, so there wasn’t much small talk. As the car drove away, Chi Wendong glanced through the rearview mirror. “You and Lin Xiu…”
Chi Aibei turned his head. “Hmm?”
Chi Wendong shook his head. “Nothing.” He couldn’t quite put it into words; it was just that a moment ago, he felt something was strange, but he couldn’t say what. They just seemed… a bit too close.
Back at the Chi residence, he saw He Chenjiang’s family of three as soon as he entered.
Over this period, He Chenjiang hadn’t troubled him again. At school, they practically minded their own business. But that didn’t mean Chi Aibei could talk to him like a normal classmate. Ignoring him was the best treatment Aibei could offer.
Chen Su was very satisfied with He Chenjiang’s recent efforts. When she first heard him say he wanted a tutor, she thought he was just talking, but he had actually stuck with it.
Chen Su pulled Chi Aibei aside. “Your Jiangjiang Gege has been busy with his studies lately and hasn’t had time to take you home to play.”
Chi Aibei thought: That’s perfect. Let him stay busy. I don’t have time to play at your house either.
Following Chen Su’s lead, Mother Chi praised, “I always said your Chenjiang would be a promising child. You didn’t believe me.”
The two began praising He Chenjiang. Since they weren’t outsiders, Chen Su didn’t hold back. “Yes, you have a good eye. Our Chenjiang almost broke into the top hundred on the last exam.”
He Chenjiang was so embarrassed he wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
He had only told Chen Su that Chi Aibei had done well, without giving specifics. Perhaps out of pride, he didn’t want others to know Aibei’s true scores. But discussing his own grades in front of Aibei—was that not like a slap to the face?
Chen Su looked at Chi Aibei. “I heard from your Jiangjiang Gege that you did well too?”
Chi Aibei glanced at He Chenjiang. Why did this guy bring me up? He didn’t say my rank, did he?
He Chenjiang didn’t know what Aibei’s look meant. The next second, he heard Aibei say, “I did great! Lin Xiu Gege helped me with my lessons. He even said I can get into university!”
He Chenjiang stared blankly at Chi Aibei, who had his chin raised with full confidence. He was clearly telling the truth, but because he was too confident, it gave off an air of foolishness.
Sure enough, after he spoke, Mother Chi immediately showed a hint of impatience. Chen Su also gave a perfunctory laugh due to his “foolishness” and moved past the topic.
He Chenjiang looked at Chi Aibei in shock…
Others had to work to change their faces, but he didn’t even need to change his. With just a smile and a raised tone, his “foolishness” became so smooth.
He Chenjiang suddenly felt that it wasn’t his fault for not noticing Aibei was faking it. It was because Aibei’s methods were too advanced. With this kind of acting, if he hadn’t decided to stop himself, who could have possibly seen through it?
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